GANGTOK: Citizen Action Party urges quick settlement of contractors’ bills

Gangtok: Citizen Action Party-Sikkim spokesperson Phuri Sherpa today demanded the state government to immediately release the outstanding bills of fair road contractors. The bill in context is for fair weather road projects delivered by the previous Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government during 2018-19. Addressing a press conference here today, Sherpa informed that while the SKM government released 15% of the bill in 2022 and an additional 15% during Dasain this year, the contractors are yet to receive the remaining 70%. Emphasizing on the financial difficulty faced by the contractors, the CAP spokesperson demanded that Chief Minister PS Golay should fulfill his promise by paying the full amount to the contractors instead of making false promises during the budget session. Sherpa alleged that the funds for the extravagant Rolu Day celebrations by the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) were obtained from “hard-earned money of the public and commission and percentage of contractors”. Highlighting a broader concern, Sherpa said, “Any political party after coming to power has weakened the public sector. Commission is not taken from the salaries of government employees but from the work of contractors. The public needs to understand that the source of funds for Rolu Day celebrations is derived from the commission of these public works.” Sherpa concluded by saying that the SKM party has money for grand political events, but not to pay contractors. He assured that if the party comes to power, CAP will streamline the processes in the public works sector in the interest of the public.